National Finals Rodeo...Take One (continued, again)

I should tell you that covering the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack in Las Vegas is a bit different than covering other sporting events, but essentially the same.

The action takes place out in the arena. There's a locker area for the cowboys down on the same level. The press doesn't generally get there. There are some camera guys in a spot along the arena wall and there are some tv cameras down there as well, but those spots are pretty limited. Also, the ESPN crew has a setup down at arena level now. Back then though, there was very limited television coverage since it was just catching on as a tv sport.

Most of the press was clustered down in the press room. There were a couple of big screens and plenty of lines to hook up to send out stories. Also, there was free food. Don't ever underestimate the draw of free food on the press. There were some spots reserved for members of the press up in the stands, but not many people used them. We had everything we needed down in the press room.

After every event, the PRCA had someone run and get any cowboys that the press guys wanted to interview. They were all very gratious, answering not only group questions, but also sitting down for individual interviews if needed.

I got to Thomas and Mack a bit before the start of the perf. Found my way down to the press room...and the food...I was starving. Two helpings later, I was ready for the rush of excitement I knew was coming.

December pang approaching...

As the end of the year closes in, I'm getting ready to feel the pang I always get when NFR rolls around. I miss the rodeo world and the friends I had there and that feeling always seems to feel strongest at NFR time.

I've been thinking about going this year, but two things stop me. One, I don't have any credentials. And two, I don't have a real reason to go. See, it's hard for me to just sit through a rodeo. I'm so used to being behind the chutes, running down quick interviews and just clumping in the dirt that I don't enjoy just sitting in the stands.

There's a former bull rider out here that's just married a woman I used to work with. We talked about that feeling while drinking beers one night. He admitted that while he thought it was great that a lot of rodeo is televised now, he doesn't ever watch it. He told me he couldn't watch without feeling a pang and it was too much for him. I never rode bulls, but I knew what he was talking about.

Anyway, I think that I could still arrange press credentials, but why? Maybe I'm wrong, but I think it would just be a lonely experience.

But still...